[001] does he begin to have jurisdiction and coercion over prebends, the proper order [002] being observed, so to speak. The form of the writ is as follows.
Writ to the bishop or other ordinary to cause a clerk to come when he has nothing by which he may be distrained.
[004] ‘Henry by the grace of God etc. to the venerable Father in Christ B. by the same [005] grace bishop of London, greeting. We order you to cause to come before our justices [006] etc. at such a day such an archdeacon, (‘dean’ or ‘canon’) to answer C. with respect [007] to such a plea etc. (as above).’ And then let this clause be added: ‘as to whom our [008] sheriff of Middlesex has sent word to our aforesaid justices that the aforesaid archdeacon [009] (or such other clerk) has refused to find pledges and has no lay fee by which he [010] can be distrained. And have there this writ. Witness etc.’ If the bishop does nothing [011] with regard to the king's order, let the enrolment then be as follows. ‘A. offered himself [012] on the fourth day against B. with respect to such a plea, and B. did not come, [013] and at another time the sheriff was ordered to attach him, and the sheriff sent word [014] that he was a clerk etc. (as above) whereupon such a bishop was ordered to cause [015] him to come and to send the writ, who did nothing therein. Therefore let the bishop [016] be summoned to appear on such a day and to have there the aforesaid B. to answer [017] the aforesaid A. as to why etc. (according to the original writ) and to show why he did [018] not have the aforesaid B. before the aforesaid justices on such a day as he was ordered.’ [019] The form of the writ is this: ‘The king to the sheriff, greeting. Summon F. bishop of [020] London by good summoners to be before the justices etc. on such a day and to have [021] there such archdeacon (or ‘clerk’) to answer such a one as to the plea why etc. (as [022] above).’ And at the end: ‘And to show why he did not cause him to come before our [023] justices on such a day as he was ordered, and why he did not send the writ etc.’ On [024] that day he either causes him to come or does not. If not, the formal order of attachments [025] will not then be observed, as in other distresses, but let the bishop be distrained [026] at once by his barony to be present on another day and to have the aforesaid clerk [027] to answer etc. And let the bishop be summoned1 to appear there to hear his judgment [028] for not having the aforesaid clerk at such a day etc. as he was ordered. Let the enrolment [029] be as follows. ‘A. offered himself on the fourth day against B. with respect to [030] such a plea etc. (as above) and B. did not come, and at another time the bishop was [031] ordered to cause him to come on such day, on which
Volume 4, Page 374
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